Montessori at Home Botany: Parts of a stem, a leaf, a seed

Parts of a Stem

Definitions

1. Stem: The main part of the plant that is above ground and that supports the branches, leaves, flowers, fruit, etc.

2. Node: The section where the leaf branches out of the stem.

3. Internode: The part of the stem that is between two nodes.

4. Axil: The area on the onside or upper end of the node that helps support the branch or leaf. It looks like a tiny bud on top of the node.

Presentation (as per how I like doing it)

– Go outside and find several smaller stems.

– Discuss the four parts of the stems (stem, node, internode and axil).

– Look around and try to find some that have fallen to the ground to bring inside.

– Introduce the Nomenclature in binder and discuss.

– Introduce the nomenclature cards and discuss.

– Ask child to match the nomenclature pictures with the cards while the binder is still open (for child to refer to is as an answer key).

– Close the binder and scatter the pictures and cards out of order.

– Ask child to match the pictures and cards on his/her own.

Parts of a Leaf

Definitions

Leaf: The thin and flat part of the plant. It grows out of a stem or a branch.

Petiole: The short stubby stalk that connects the leaf to the branch or stem.

Base: The part where the petiole and the leaf are attached.

Main Vein: The only vein that runs from the base to the tip of the leaf. It is the biggest vein, also.

Stipules: This one is kind of hard to explain, but if you look at the picture up close, at the very bottom of the petiole, where it touches the stem or branch, you see two little petal-like pieces sticking out of the base of the petiole.

Blade: The actual leaf; flat, wide, with veins running throughout.

Veins: The tiny tube-like pipes that support the leaf’s blade. They are like the leaf’s skeleton.

Nomenclature

We went out to our front yard to gather several kinds of leaves and brought them inside.

As we discussed the different parts of a leaf using the nomenclature, we would look at the same part on the real leaves.

Then we matched the Nomenclature Cards with the answer key open. K wasn’t ready to do it on his own (by heart) yet. We will repeat this lesson soon and hopefully, he will remember more. After all, this is a lot to remember, so no rush.

Parts of a Seed

Materials needed:

– lima beans that have been soaked overnight

– a small towel or napkin

– a child-size magnifying glass

Presentation

– Call the child to the table.

– Place the towel in front of the child.

– Place the seed on top of the towel.

– Show child how to remove the seed’s thin, outer coat (the testa). Discuss what the testa does (protects the seed).

– Show child how to open the seed in half and discuss.

– Both halves are called cotyledon. The cotyledon is food for the embryo.

– Ask the child to look at the embryo (the underdeveloped plant inside the cotyledon.

– Discuss how this seed will grow into a plant or a tree.

– Allow child to observe and analyze all the parts of the seed.

– Make a fun craft using seeds or plant some seeds.

Nomenclature

– Introduce the Nomenclature in binder and discuss.

– Compare the pictures to the actual parts of the seed.

– Introduce the nomenclature cards and discuss.

– Ask child to match the nomenclature pictures with the cards while the binder is still open (for child to refer to is as an answer key).

– Close the binder and scatter the pictures and cards out of order.

– Ask child to match the pictures and cards on his/her own.

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